South Africa Transport

South Africa is home to three international airports: Johannesburg, which is the biggest, Cape Town and Durban. The national airline is South African Airlines, which services local destinations as well as other worldwide cities.

Cape Town International Airport is very well equipped with facilities which include banking and currency exchange services, restaurants, duty-free shopping and executive lounges. There is also a medical surgery on-site and baby-changing amenities.

Taxis and shuttle buses await arrivals for transfers to the city. They are the best option for travel to and from the airport, as the public transport network is fairly limited and can be dangerous at times. Car hire companies also can be found at the airport.

The airport offers over 2,600 car parking spaces in a car park located directly in front of the terminal buildings. Reserved disabled persons’ parking spaces are available close to the terminal building.

Durban International Airport offers limited domestic and international flights to and from South Africa. The single-terminal airport offers cash machines and bureau de change desks as well as many shops, bars and restaurants.

Several shuttle services operate between the airport and the city throughout the day, while hotel shuttles and taxi cabs can be found and ordered 24 hours. 

There are three long-term car parks and one short-term facility. All car parks offer facilities for the disabled.

Johannesburg International Airport is the largest and busiest of all three airports. The airport is home to six terminals and excellent facilities. An abundance of banks, ATMs and bureaux de change can be found in each terminal as well as excellent restaurants and bars. Shopping opportunities are numerous and those looking for business services will be spoilt for choice.

Private bus companies offer regular services to the city and surrounding areas and many local hotels operate pick-up shuttle services. The airport taxi rank is situated outside the Arrivals area.

There is ample parking at the airport, with the airport's multi-storey car park housing over 5,000 parking bays. Dedicated disabled parking can be reserved in advance

The main routes into South Africa are from Botswana, Lesotho, Mozambique (a border which has now re-opened after a long war), Namibia, Swaziland and Zimbabwe. Driving in Africa can be dangerous, as not all roads meet safety standards. You must always be alert and try to avoid driving late at night.

The main train routes from South Africa are to Zimbabwe, Botswana and Mozambique. Contact South African Railways for more information on timetables and routes, as both are subject to change. Their website is: www.spoornet.co.za

The main ports to the country are: Cape Town, Durban, East London and Port Elizabeth. Cruises to and from the Indian Ocean islands are offered by various companies.

Air
Daily flights across the country link Bloemfontein, Durban, Kimberley, East London, Cape Town, Johannesburg, Port Elizabeth and Pretoria. South African Airways operates schedules on principal routes.

Train
The Blue Train service, which runs between Pretoria and Cape Town, is famous for its sheer luxury and people come to South Africa to experience a journey on it. It is also possible to enjoy a trip on a steam train from Johannesburg to Magaliesberg. All long-distance trains are equipped with sleeping compartments and most have restaurant cars. Advanced bookings are recommended for popular journeys and all overnight trips. All trains offer first and second class accommodation and children less than two years of age travel free.

Bus
Greyhound, Intercape and Translux run a network of buses and coaches travelling to nationwide destinations. Bus networks can be found in every major town. It is a cheap alternative to travelling by rail, but buses can often be crowded and uncomfortable. There have also been recorded incidents of crime against tourists on local buses, so always be on your guard and keep a tight hold of all of your belongings.

Car
Travelling by car is a very convenient way to travel around South Africa, although the roads are notoriously dangerous so you must always pay attention when driving. An International Driving License is required if you do want to drive and the minimum age is 23. There are numerous hire car companies found around the country and at the airports, but you must have held a driving license for over five years before you can hire a car.

Taxi
Taxis can be found throughout the country and are generally very safe, reasonably priced and convenient. If you book a taxi in advance, always negotiate a rate before it arrives, especially if you are travelling a long distance.